Method and apparatus for coviewing video

ABSTRACT

A method, apparatus, and system to provide the ability for a user to make audio and/or audio-video phone calls simultaneously while watching (co-viewing) provider video content in remote locations. A control system is provided to set up call, direct provider video content, and provide for the phone calls and video content to be delivered and then synchronized. The phone calls may be routed by the control system to PSTN destinations or Internet based destinations and calls made or received may be bridged to other Internet based sources. The provider video content may be provided directly from its source or routed through NAT traversal or through the control system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/715,553 filed Oct. 18, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to integrated telecommunications and multimedia systems and applications and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for integrating provider video content with phone call communications in real time.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Television (or “TV”) services which provide live video or recorded video content through channels such as over air broadcasts, cable TV systems, and satellite TV systems (“provider video content” or “TV style video content”) are well known. Over air broadcasts have been offered for decades, but typically only permit access to a few channels (five to ten). Cable TV and satellite systems have grown in popularity over the past few decades and typically offer a greater number of channels, in the range of tens or hundreds, as well as interactive services aimed at improving aspects of the user's viewing experience such as recording and playback and premium content for purchase. Recently, access to TV style video content has additionally been availed through the Internet, where such video can often be streamed for real time viewing and/or downloaded for subsequent viewing. On the Internet, many of the service enhancements which have been introduced by Cable TV and satellite systems are present in some form. In addition, due to the nature of the Internet and its delivery protocols, there remain opportunities to further enhance or supplement TV style video content provided over the Internet.

Similarly, various telephone and voice communication services which facilitate remote audio or audio/video communications (“phone call” or “phone call communications”) over wired or wireless networks are well established. Traditional wired telephone networks date back more than a century and, more recently, wireless networks and Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) have introduced new communication protocols which provide increased functionality and often decrease costs. Notably, the rise in phone call communications through VoIP (and thus over the Internet) has largely coincided with the rise in the delivery of provider video content delivered over the Internet. A problem which still exists, however, is phone call communications and provider video content have remained largely separate services, unable to provide users with enhanced, integrated functionality. While users in remote locations can engage in a phone call and watch the same provider video content from the same source, the users cannot participate in an service wherein their phone call and provider video content viewing are integrated and synchronized together. Thus, there remains a need for a method and apparatus which could provide a coviewing system that would allow users in remote locations to engage in a phone call which was integrated with and occurring in conjunction with the viewing of the same provider video content. It would be helpful if such a coviewing system was structured to enable the synchronization of the video content being viewed by each user. It would be additionally desirable for such a coviewing system was structured to utilize smart echo cancellation which simultaneously accounted for audio from the provider video content and from the phone call.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a system adapted to allow coviewing of provider video content such that phone call communications between a plurality of users has been integrated with a provider video content viewing session. The primary components of Applicant's method and apparatus for coviewing include a coviewing control system and a plurality of user interfaces which include audio and video inputs and audio and video outputs. When in operation, the method and apparatus for coviewing allows users in remote locations to engage in an phone call and provider video content viewing session simultaneously, whereby the phone call communications and provider video content have been integrated into a unified and synchronized interface to be broadcast by a output device simultaneously. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by the prior art are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method, apparatus and system to provide the ability for a user to make audio and/or audio-video calls simultaneously while watching (co-viewing) the same provider video (e.g.: program, movie or sporting event). The calls may be to PSTN destinations or internet based destinations. Calls made or received may be bridged to other services such as Google Voice, Skype, Facebook and others.

The invention incorporates multiple user interfaces. The interfaces include video displays. Each display may have a camera, whereby the camera may provide images of the respective user. Each video display includes a call transmitter and call receiver. The transmitter and receiver may be the same element.

Video can be displayed as an overlay on a display such as Picture in Picture. TV program can be ‘squeezed-back’ on a display from a video call or other transmitted text. Video can also be placed on an ‘edge’ (top, bottom, left, right) of a display. Video can also be overlaid in windows such, so called ‘picture in picture’ or PIP. The invention includes the optional provision of the ability to synchronize playback of TV programming so both parties watch the same video ‘scene/play’ at the same time. The invention may also include intelligent echo cancellation that suppresses both normal audio echo as well as the audio associated with the TV program.

Call setup may be performed through a Coviewing Control System (“CCS”). The CCS may be a dedicated system or leverage an existing telephony, conferencing or other system. Video from media may be routed directly or through some form of NAT traversal, or through the control system

It is an object of this invention to provide a coviewing system which would allow users in remote locations to engage in an audio only or audio/video phone call which was integrated with and occurring in conjunction with the viewing of the same provider video content.

It is another object of this invention to provide a coviewing system structured to enable the synchronization of the video content being viewed by each user.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a coviewing system structured to utilize smart echo cancellation which simultaneously accounted for audio from the provider video content and from the phone call.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a general process flow according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the components of a set top box adapted for coviewing and built in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts the coviewing set up process according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary user interface of a coviewing session according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a user interface of a video content overlay coviewing session according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a user interface of a video content squeeze back coviewing session according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, a system overview of the operating components of a method and apparatus for coviewing is shown. A coviewing control system 10 is provided to perform server and administrator functions for a plurality of set top boxes 11 that perform client functions and provide user interfaces. The coviewing control system 10 is utilized to provide a call manager, which is implemented through a hardware and/or a software configuration. The call manager is used to provide phone call address information required for phone call setup and may work in conjunction with the processor of set top boxes 11 for setting up all calls, both incoming and outgoing, between set top boxes 11 or a set top box 11 and another device. It is contemplated that the call manager may be implemented through a dedicated system or by leveraging existing telephony or conferencing systems.

The coviewing control system 10 and the set top boxes 11 are configured to maintain a network connection to the Internet 12. In this manner, the coviewing control system 10 and the set top boxes 11 are adapted to communicate data in real time with each other as well as access data from or transmit data to any specific location on the Internet 12. For example, the set top boxes 11 may utilize existing protocols to access provider video content through its connection to the Internet, whether at the direction of or independent of any action of the coviewing control system 10. Similarly, set top boxes 11 may connect phone calls through a VoIP interface to publically switched telephone network destination or an Internet based destination. In this regard, it is contemplated that set top boxes 11 may be configured to handle incoming and outgoing phone calls or bridge such phone calls to services such as Google Voice, Skype, and Facebook.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the primary components of a set top box 11 built in accordance with the present invention are defined as interface components and processing components. The interface components include a networking interface 100, an output interface 101, a content input interface 102, an audio input interface 103 and a video input interface 104. The network interface 100 provides the network connection between the set top box 11 and the Internet so as to enable the set top box 11 to communicate data to locations on the world wide web. The network interface 100 is defined as a single connection which provides Internet access to a plurality of components in the set top box 11 in one embodiment. In alternate embodiments, the network interface 100 defines a plurality of connections which include wired connections, wireless connections or possibly wired and wireless connections. In other embodiments, connection protocols such as USB, Ethernet, WiFi, LTE, WiMax, 3G/4G/Cellular data may be utilized in addition or in the alternative by the network interface 100. It is contemplated that other categories of media players/receives can be utilized in the alternative to, or in addition to, a set top box 11. Alternative media players/receivers, such as game consoles, Internet media players/receives, and TVs configured to include media playing/receiving components may be configured in accordance with the present invention as described above.

The output interface 101 is configured to provide signals which would allow a television or other audio/video display device to display and otherwise output audio and video signals relating the provider video content, phone call communications, or other content received from the Internet. In one embodiment, the output interface 101 is defined as a HDMI outlet. In alternate embodiments, audio and video outputs may be provided through the output interface 101 via a single or multiple connectors which may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. In other embodiments, connection protocols such as coaxial, USB, Ethernet, WiFi, WiMax, TOSLINK, SP/DIF, HDMI, component, and composite may be used by the output interface 101 to deliver audio and video signals to the desired audio/video display device.

The content input interface 102 provides a supplementary input for provider video content which is not being received directly from the Internet 12 through the network interface 100. The content input interface 102 utilizes one or more connection ports such as coaxial, component, composite, HDMI, SCART, TOSLINK, SP/DIF to receive input signals from providers of provider video content, such as Cable TV signals, satellite signals, analog or digital antenna inputs. It is contemplated that a plurality of one or more these connection ports may be provided. This signal can be used supplement a provider video content signal which is being received from the Internet 12. In the alternative, the set top box 11 can directly use the broad video content signal from the content input interface 102 while supplementing that signal with data from the Internet 12.

The audio input interface 103 allows for audio from the area surrounding the set top box 11 to be captured and utilized in the operations of the set top box 11. The audio input interface 103 defines an audio pick up device, which may be a single microphone or a microphone array to enable additional echo cancelling capability. In one embodiment, the audio pick up device is an internal component of the set top box 11 while in other embodiments, the audio pick up device is an external component connected to the set top box or a combination of internal and external components.

The video input interface 104 captures video from the area surrounding the set top box 11 to be utilized in the operations of the set top box 11. The video input interface 104 is defined in one embodiment by a internally mounted video camera. In other embodiments, the video camera may be externally disposed and connected to the set top box 11 via a connection, which may be either wired, or wireless, or a combination of both.

The processing components include a central processing unit 105, a local video encoder 106, a local audio preamp 107, a echo canceller 108, a content decoder 109, a transmission encoder 110, an audio video decoder component 111, an audio video combiner 112, a combiner/mixer 113, a call in filter 114, coviewing audio video filter 115, a graphics processor 116, and a third party app processor 117. In operation, the central processing unit 105 acts as a gatekeeper/taskmaster and regulates the system to ensure all interactions are taking place at the correct time and in the correct order.

To handle the initial processing of locally generated inputs, the local video encoder 106 receives and encodes video signals from the video input interface 104 and then transmits the encoded local video signal to the audio video combiner 112. In addition, the local audio preamp 107 is connected to the audio input interface 103 so as to receive audio signals from the audio input interface 103, amplify them, and transmit the amplified signals to the echo canceller 108. Furthermore, the content decoder 109 receives encoded provider video content from the content input interface 102, decodes it, and transmits the decoded signals to the echo canceller 108.

To handle the initial processing of remotely generated inputs, the call in filter 114 filters out data relating to active, requested or pending phone calls in the signals received from the Internet through the networking interface 100. This phone call data is then transmitted to the audio video decoder component 111 to be decoded and sent to the echo canceller 108 and the combiner/mixer 113. The coviewing audio video filter 115 filters out data relating active requested, or pending coviewing sessions to enable it to be directed to the audio video decoder component 111 to be decoded and sent to the echo canceller 108 and the combiner/mixer 113. The graphics processor 116 provides menu overlay information to the combiner/mixer 113 to enable the display of the same on the local video output. The third party app processor 117 enables the operation of third party apps which provide additional provider video content on the set top box 11. The third part app processor 117 transmits received provider video content to the audio video decoder component 111 to be decoded and sent to the echo canceller 108 and the combiner/mixer 113. It is contemplated that the audio video decoder component may be embodied as a single decoder or a plurality of audio/video decoders.

Once the locally and remotely generate inputs are received and initially processed, the outputs of the set top box 11 are configured through the echo canceller 108, the transmission encoder 110, audio/video combiner 112, and the combiner/mixer 113. The echo canceller 108 receives audio data from a plurality of sources relating to noise which is being generated around the set top box 11 generates a signal which enables echo cancellation and unwanted noise suppression. When a point to point audio call, audio/visual call, or co-viewing call is made the echo canceller 108 takes the audio signal that would emit from the television or display device, or audio system that is outputting an audio signal coming through the set top box 11, and generate a cancelling signal that would mix with the signal coming into the set top box 11 via the audio pick up device, thus cancelling the unwanted audio signal and preventing unwanted feedback.

The transmission encoder 110 encodes data from the echo canceller 108 so as to prepare it to be transmitted to a desired networked target. The audio/video combiner 112 merges the audio and video outbound feeds together. This is accomplished by taking the audio signals from the echo canceller 108 and combining them with the video signal generated by the local video encoder 106. In other embodiments, the transmission encoder 110 is not included and the audio and video feeds are transmitted as separate signals.

The combiner/mixer 113 combines different sources of the audio/video signals which are to be provided to the television 118 or desired display device and routes the combined signal to the output interface 101. It is contemplated that SMS, gaming audio/video, audio call, video call, video/audio call, interactive menu displays, co-viewing displays, and others may be provided to the output interface 101 by the combiner/mixer 113. In some embodiments, the combiner/mixer 113 includes an encoder, while in other embodiments, an encoder is provided in the output interface 101.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the process of initiating a coviewing session between two devices built in accordance with the present invention begins with a first user requesting a coviewing phone call connection with a second user at a specified or otherwise specific location (such as phone number, email address, or other unique identifier) on the first user's device interface. The request is transmitted to the coviewing control system, which locates the second user's through the provided unique identifier. The request is sent to the second user's device interface, and an option to accept or decline the request to provided to the second user's device interface. If the request is not accepted on the second user's device interface, the coviewing control system terminates the request and notifies the first user's device interface that the request has been unfulfilled. If the second user's device interface accepts the request, the coviewing control system begins provisioning the call request. Such provisioning enables a phone call signal which will be exchanged in real time by the respective user's device interfaces to be generated.

During the provisioning of the phone call request, the coviewing control system notifies each user's device interface that a call is provision and causes the display a message advising that the call is connecting. Upon receiving this notification, each user's device interface transmits information relating to any provider video content currently being displayed by the respective user's device interface. This information typically includes the current program, the current channel and a time stamp indicating where in program duration wise the user's device interface is. The coviewing control system processes this information by generating a signal which synchronizes the provider video content being watched on the user's respective device interface. The synchronized provider video content signal is then integrated with the phone call signal to form an integrated coviewing signal. The coviewing signal is then transmitted to each user's device interface, which causes the user's device interface to each actuate a coviewing session. In actuating a coviewing session, the user's device interfaces begin to display or otherwise play the provider video content and phone call communications as directed by the coviewing control system and transmit capture phone call related audio and video information to the coviewing control system.

In one embodiment, the coviewing control system merely integrates a pointer to a source of provider video content in the step of integrating provider video content and phone call. In such an embodiment, the provider video content is provided to each of the user's device interfaces directly from a provider or through a form of network address translation traversal.

In one embodiment, the step of processing provider video content includes allowing the user's device interfaces to select a particular program or channel to watch during the coviewing session.

Referring now to FIG. 4, when a coviewing session is active, a user in a first location 400 and a user in a second location 401 can watch the same program and/or channel on a television screen 402 while having a video phone call, wherein the program and the video feed 403 a, 403 b from the other user are both visible on the user's respective television screen 402. In embodiments where video call is not provided for, users can still utilize coviewing to participate in a phone call while watching synchronized provider video content in remote locations.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the video 500 from the phone call communication of a coviewing session is displayed as an overlay on top of the provider video content 501 being displayed on the display device 502. In some embodiments, the coviewing session provides in addition to the remotely generated phone call communication video 500 the locally generated video 503.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in another embodiment, during a coviewing session, the provider video content video 600 is squeezed back on the display device 601 to provide a space in which the video 602 from the phone call communication of a coviewing session is displayed. It is contemplated that the video can be squeezed back on the edge of a display device so as to provide space on an opposing edge or squeezed back to a more centrally located position on the display device to provide space along the perimeter of the provider video content 600. In this embodiment, the coviewing session may again provides in addition to the remotely generated phone call communication video 602 the locally generated video 603.

In one embodiment, the provider video content and/or user interfaces and/or video from phone call communications may be selectively displayed on a selected device or a plurality of selected devices. For example, a coviewing system may enable the video from provider video content to be displayed on a first display device, such as a mobile electronic device (tablet, smartphone, etc.), while the video from the phone call communication of a coviewing session is displayed on a second display device, such as a TV. Similarly, a coviewing system may enable menus and other user interface elements on a mobile device and video on a TV. Further, a coviewing system may enable all video and user interfaces to be displayed on a mobile device.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for integrating provider video content with phone call communications, comprising the steps of: providing a control system configured to connect to and communicate electronic data with at least a first user interface device and a second user interface device over a electronic data network, wherein said first user interface device and said second user interface device are disposed in remote locations; enabling by said control system provider video content delivery defined by the delivery of a signal of provider video content to said first user interface device and said second user interface device which represents the same provider video content programming, enabling said first user interface device and said second user interface device to cause to be broadcast the same provider video content; and enabling by said control system integrated phone call communications defined by the delivery of a signal of a phone call generated at said first user interface device to said second user interface device and a signal of a phone call generated at said second user interface device to said first user interface device, enabling said first user interface device to cause at least audio generated at said second user interface device to be broadcast and said second user interface device to cause at least audio generated at said first user interface device to be broadcast.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of enabling by said control system provider video content delivery additionally includes causing the provider video content signal delivered to each of said first user interface device and said second user interface device to be synchronized for the time elapsed in the program, enabling said first user interface device and said second user interface device to cause to be broadcast a synchronized version of the same provider video content on a first output device and a second output device, respectively.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of enabling by said control system integrated phone call communications enables said first user interface device to cause audio and video generated at said second user interface device to be broadcast.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said first user interface device causes audio and video generated at said second user interface device to be broadcast on said first output device.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first user interface device and said first output device are disposed in a single housing.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of enabling by said control system integrated phone call communications enables said second user interface device to cause audio and video generated at said first user interface device to be broadcast.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said second user interface device causes audio and video generated at said first user interface device to be broadcast on said second output device.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein video generated at said first user interface device is displayed covering a portion of the provider video content on said second output device.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the display of the provider video content is adjusted on said second output device, enabling the video generated at said first user interface device to be displayed on said second output device without covering the provider video content.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein video generated at said second user interface device is displayed covering a portion of the provider video content on said first output device.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein the display of the provider video content is adjusted on said first output device, enabling the video generated at said second user interface device to be displayed on said first output device without covering the provider video content.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein said second user interface device and said first second device are disposed in a single housing.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said control system enables the delivery of the provider video content to said first user interface device and said second user interface device by providing it directly from said control system to said first user interface device and said second user interface device.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said control system enables the delivery of the provider video content to said first user interface device and said second user interface device by providing for said provider video content to be directed to said first user interface device and said second user interface device from a distinct network location.
 15. A system for integrating provider video content with phone call communications, comprising: a control system configured to connect to and communicate electronic data with at least a first user interface device and a second user interface device over a electronic data network; said control system enabling synchronized provider video content, defined by the delivery of a signal of provider video content to said first user interface device and said second user interface device, wherein the provider video content signal delivered to each of said first user interface device and said second user interface device is synchronized for programming provided and the time elapsed in the program, enabling said first user interface device and said second user interface device to cause to be broadcast the same provider video content in a synchronized manner; and said control system enabling integrated phone call communications, defined by the delivery of a signal of a phone call generated at said first user interface device to said second user interface device and a signal of a phone call generated at said second user interface device to said first user interface device, enabling said first user interface device to cause at least audio generated at said second user interface device to be broadcast and said second user interface device to cause at least audio generated at said first user interface device to be broadcast.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said control system enables said first user interface device and said second user interface device to cause to be broadcast a synchronized version of the same provider video content on a first output device and a second output device, respectively.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said control system enables said first user interface device to cause audio and video generated at said second user interface device to be broadcast.
 18. A system for integrating provider video content with phone call communications, comprising: a first user interface device and a second user interface device, wherein said first user interface device and said second user interface device are disposed in remote locations; a control system configured to connect to and communicate electronic data with at least said first user interface device and said second user interface device over a electronic data network; said control system enabling synchronized provider video content, defined by the delivery of a signal of provider video content to said first user interface device and said second user interface device, wherein the provider video content signal delivered to each of said first user interface device and said second user interface device is synchronized for programming provided and the time elapsed in the program, enabling said first user interface device and said second user interface device to cause to be broadcast the same provider video content in a synchronized manner; and said control system enabling integrated phone call communications, defined by the delivery of a signal of a phone call generated at said first user interface device to said second user interface device and a signal of a phone call generated at said second user interface device to said first user interface device, enabling said first user interface device to cause at least audio generated at said second user interface device to be broadcast and said second user interface device to cause at least audio generated at said first user interface device to be broadcast.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein said control system enables said first user interface device to cause audio and video generated at said second user interface device to be broadcast.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein said first user interface device and second user interface device each include an echo cancellation component which is configured to enable said first user interface device and said second user interface device, respectively, to suppresses both normal audio echo from phone call broadcasting as well as the audio associated with the provider video content. 